A wide-reaching energy bill designed to encourage conservation and boost the usage of renewable energy by Nevada’s utilities was one of the last bills approved by lawmakers before they adjourned their special session on Tuesday.
“It is cutting-edge legislation. There is no question,” Jon Wellinghoff, a lobbyist for renewable energy and conservation interests, said of AB3, which is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Kenny Guinn.
“It was a giant step for the state of Nevada in helping consumers manage their consumption costs and bringing an additional infusion of capital for purposes of conservation,” said Senate Commerce and Labor Chairman Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, who pushed the measure.
AB3 directs the Nevada Commission on Economic Development to approve a 50 percent property tax reduction for up to 10 years to owners who have buildings that meet energy conservation standards.
Under the bill, renewable energy systems are exempt from sales taxes. Installers of solar photovoltaic systems, which convert sunlight into electricity, will need to be licensed.
The measure allows Nevada Power Co. and Sierra Pacific Power Co. to get energy credits for conservation programs that can be used to meet up to one quarter of their renewable energy requirements under the state’s renewable energy portfolio law.
The renewable energy law, adopted in 2001, ordered electric utilities to get increasing amounts of power from renewable sources such as wind, solar and geothermal sources. The percentage gradually increased to 15 percent by 2013 under the old law, but the new bill raises the minimum to 20 percent by 2015.
Nevada Power has failed to meet the minimum requirements for the past two years, and Sierra Pacific Power failed to satisfy the requirement for solar power.
The bill also requires the university and community college system to offer courses about constructing “green buildings” that are energy efficient.
It also expands a solar energy demonstration program to have more kilowatts of capacity generated at schools, public buildings, private residences and businesses. Townsend said the final bill combined measures from his committee with those advocated by Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas.
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